I booked Filoxenia Hotel Zakynthos as my base for a week in Zante, partly because of the cheerful photos and partly because the all inclusive formula seemed like the easiest way to unwind without constantly reaching for my wallet. The hotel sits slightly inland from Tsilivi, away from the beach and nightlife, which I imagined would mean quiet nights, good sleep, and a bit of resort comfort.
What I actually found was a mixed bag: some genuinely warm staff, food that occasionally surprised me in a good way but also missed the mark more often than I hoped, and a location and setup that only really make sense if you know what you are signing up for. This is my honest account of what it felt like to stay there, what worked, what really did not, and who I think might still enjoy it.
Booking, Prices, and First Impressions
I booked my stay directly through one of the major hotel platforms, attracted by the promise of an all inclusive package and free WiFi, along with the photos of a modern, low rise complex surrounded by greenery. The rates were not bargain basement by Greek island standards, but they were noticeably below the big beachfront resorts in Tsilivi and Kalamaki. In my mind, that positioned Filoxenia as a mid range option that might punch above its weight: slightly off the beach, but compensated by better food and a calmer atmosphere.
In the run up to the trip, I double checked some practical details. The hotel operates seasonally and closes from early November through April, reopening for the main summer period. Check in is from 3:00 pm and check out at 11:00 am, which matches what I experienced on site. There is no after hours check in, and the front desk is staffed, not self service. The all inclusive setup includes buffet meals, snacks, and drinks, with the main restaurant handling breakfast, lunch, and dinner during fairly standard resort hours.
My first impression on arrival was mixed. On the positive side, the small reception area was bright, the staff on duty were friendly, and they already had my details. The check in process was straightforward, although it did follow the typical Greek routine of taking a passport and a credit card or cash deposit for incidentals. On the other hand, the lobby and adjacent bar did not quite match the polished feel of the photos. It all looked fine, but the decor was a little tired and the furniture had clearly seen more than a few seasons of heavy use. That theme would repeat itself in various corners of the property.
The Room: Functional, Spacious, and Slightly Worn
I stayed in one of the standard rooms in the main complex, which are roughly in line with what booking sites describe: simply furnished, with air conditioning, a small fridge, a kettle, a flat screen TV with satellite channels and a balcony or terrace. The room was reasonably spacious and, at least at first glance, clean. The balcony risked facing onto other buildings and parking rather than sweeping views of olive groves, but I could still see a strip of green hills in the distance, which softened the outlook.
The bed was a typical European double, essentially two singles pushed together. The mattress was on the firm side. I like a firmer bed and slept reasonably well, but someone craving hotel grade plush comfort will probably be underwhelmed. The soundproofing was better than I expected given the structure described as having 85 rooms in low rise blocks. I could hear some corridor noise and the scraping of chairs on nearby balconies in the evening, but nothing that kept me awake. Being back from the main strip of Tsilivi definitely helps reduce the nightlife noise.
The bathroom had clearly been updated at some point in the last decade. It came with a walk in shower, basic toiletries, and the usual hair dryer. The tiling and fixtures were clean but showed chips and minor wear if you looked closely. Water pressure was decent and I always had hot water when I needed it. What I missed was a bit of storage and hooks. It was not the sort of bathroom you want to linger in; more “get the job done and go back out to the pool.” Housekeeping came daily by default, although I noticed that if I returned in the early afternoon, sometimes the room had still not been done yet. Sheets and towels were changed regularly, but not daily, which is standard and did not bother me.
One thing that annoyed me a little was the WiFi. Public information promises free WiFi in rooms and public spaces, and that is technically true, but the signal strength and speed in my room fluctuated enough to make video calls and streaming unreliable at peak times. Emails and messaging were fine. If you need to work remotely or upload large files, this is not the place to rely on rock solid connectivity. I found it worked better near reception and around the main bar than inside my room.
Food, Drinks, and the Reality of All Inclusive
The core reason I chose Filoxenia was the all inclusive package. I imagined long, lazy meals, a bit of variety, and the satisfaction of not scrutinizing every bill. What I actually found was a fairly typical three star style buffet, with a few highlights and several low points. Breakfast ran during standard hours and offered the usual mix of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, yogurt, cereals, pastries, and fruit. On the first morning I thought, “This is fine.” After a few days, the lack of rotation started to feel repetitive. The eggs and some hot items tended to sit under heat lamps too long, which gave them a slightly rubbery texture. Greek yogurt with honey and fruit remained my reliable choice.
Lunch and dinner were broadly similar in setup: a buffet with a couple of hot meat dishes, a pasta, some grilled items, and a salad bar. Occasional Greek specialties like moussaka, souvlaki, and local stews appeared, and those were usually the better dishes. When the kitchen leaned into Greek flavors and slower cooked food, the quality noticeably improved. The weaker moments often involved overcooked pasta, lukewarm sauces, and generic frozen style sides such as fries and mixed vegetables that had been held too long. I never went hungry, but I did not find myself looking forward eagerly to the next meal either.
As for drinks, the all inclusive selection was quite basic: local draft beer, house wine, a small list of local spirits and simple cocktails, and the usual soft drinks, tea, and coffee. The beer was refreshing and fine. The house wine was drinkable in small amounts but not something I would linger over. Cocktails, when made during busy times, felt rushed, with sugary mixes doing most of the work. If you are happy with straightforward, unfussy drinks and do not mind sweet mixers, you will manage; if you are a cocktail enthusiast, you will be disappointed.
I did appreciate that vegetarian and some special diet options were clearly labeled in the buffet. That said, if you are vegan or very particular about ingredients, you will need to ask questions and look closely. One aspect that surprised me in a good way was how flexible some staff were about small requests, like bringing out extra fruit after breakfast hours or putting aside a portion of something before it went out to the buffet for someone with dietary concerns. Those touches depended heavily on who you spoke to and how busy the restaurant was, though, so I would not rely on them every time.
Pools, Facilities, and Daily Rhythm
The layout of Filoxenia is centered around its outdoor pools and surrounding sun loungers. There are family friendly areas with a children’s pool and a small playground, and then deeper sections more geared toward adults. According to current information, pool access is generally from mid morning to early evening, roughly 10:00 am to 6:00 pm during the open season from April to October. In practice, I found that people started staking out loungers in the late morning and the area felt busiest around midday and just after lunch, when many guests seemed content to linger with a drink in hand.
The pools themselves were clean and the water was pleasant, though a bit bracing first thing in the morning in May. I did not see evidence of neglect, but the tiles and surrounding surfaces showed their age and some sun loungers sagged noticeably. If you arrive expecting the crisp white minimalism of a brand new design hotel, this will fall short. If you just want a sunbed, a body of water, and a book, it will do the job. I occasionally struggled to find shade, as parasols were limited and some were broken or difficult to adjust.
On the entertainment side, there were low key activities like table tennis and a pool table that matched the listing descriptions. There was some informal animation and evening entertainment, but it was not especially structured or intrusive when I stayed. Families with children tended to create their own rhythm between the pool, small playground, and nearby excursions. The atmosphere was friendly but not high energy. If you are looking for a proper resort program with kids’ clubs and shows every night, this is not it. If you prefer a more relaxed environment with just enough distraction to keep children occupied, it might work.
Other facilities were basic. There is a bar, some seating areas, a garden, and a small library of left behind paperbacks that gave the place a slightly old fashioned holiday feel. There is no spa in the fully fledged sense, although services like manicures and pedicures and basic beauty treatments are sometimes available. I did not try them, partly because they felt like add ons rather than a core feature of the property. The absence of an elevator is important to note, especially if stairs are an issue. Rooms are spread across low rise blocks, so you may need to climb, and staff rely on carrying luggage up and down.
Location, Transport, and Getting Around Zante
Filoxenia is situated inland from Tsilivi Beach. Official descriptions put Tsilivi Beach about a few minutes away by car, and that fits what I experienced. On foot, it is a longer walk, not impossible, but not something I would choose to do in the midday heat more than once. What I had not fully appreciated before arrival was how self contained the hotel feels. It is not directly on the seafront, nor is it integrated into the heart of Tsilivi village. Instead, it sits in a quieter area of the island, with some greenery and local houses around it.
There is free on site parking, and that turned out to be a real advantage. I rented a small car at the airport and used the hotel largely as a sleeping and relaxing base. From there, I could easily drive to Tsilivi Beach, Zakynthos town, the ferry terminal, and other parts of the island like Zante Water Village and different beaches. If you are comfortable driving in Greece, this setup works very well and the out of the way location will not bother you. Without a car, though, I think the hotel feels more isolated. There are local buses and taxis, but they do not match the convenience of simply strolling from your resort onto the sand.
Because the hotel is not at the center of a dense cluster of restaurants and bars, you do not get that spontaneous “let’s wander out and see where we eat tonight” feeling unless you deliberately head into Tsilivi or Zakynthos town. For an all inclusive stay where you intend to mostly stay on property, that might not bother you. For me, after a few evenings of buffet dinners, I wanted the freedom to eat out and explore. Driving out for dinner worked, but it required more planning and eliminated the carefree beach promenade mood I might have had at a closer in hotel.
The flip side of this half rural setting is that nights were reasonably quiet. There was no thumping music from nearby clubs traveling into my room and only the distant sound of scooters and occasional barking dogs. The airport is about a twenty minute drive away, and I did not find airplane noise to be intrusive. So while the location might not deliver convenience for walkers, it does deliver a certain calm, especially compared with staying right above a party strip.
Service, Atmosphere, and Other Guests
Service at Filoxenia sits in that interesting middle ground between genuinely warm and occasionally overstretched. The front desk staff who checked me in were efficient and patient, even as a small crowd of arrivals backed up behind me. They answered questions about bus routes, car rental, boat trips, and local beaches with a mix of local knowledge and printed leaflets. When I had a minor issue with the air conditioning in my room, someone came up the same afternoon and fixed it, which impressed me more than I expected.
Where service sometimes stumbled was in the restaurant and bar areas during peak times. When the hotel was busy, tables would stay uncleared longer than felt comfortable, and refilling buffet items lagged. Drinks at the bar sometimes took a while, not because of lack of effort from staff, but because they were clearly doing the work of two or three people. There was a genuine friendliness there, though. When the rush eased, staff often remembered guests by face and sometimes by drink preference, which gave a more personal feel than a large anonymous resort.
The guest mix skewed towards families with young children, couples in their 20s to 40s, and some older guests enjoying a leisurely week. I heard a mix of languages: English, Polish, Dutch, and Greek among them. The overall vibe was casual and unpretentious. People dressed in typical beach resort clothes, no one seemed particularly interested in dressing up for dinner, and there was very little formality. In that sense, Filoxenia felt approachable, not intimidating. If you want a glam, curated Instagram ready setting, this is not the place. If you are comfortable in flip flops with a plastic cup of beer by the pool, you will feel at home.
Atmosphere wise, evenings were subdued. The bar and terrace would gather a crowd after dinner, with background music and occasional low key entertainment, but it never became a late night party. Most guests seemed to drift off before midnight. I personally liked that. However, if you are planning a lively vacation with lots of dancing and nightlife, you will probably find yourself leaving the hotel almost every night to find it elsewhere.
What Fell Short and What I Would Change Next Time
Nothing about my stay at Filoxenia was disastrous, but several aspects did not meet the expectations set by the marketing photos and descriptions. The biggest letdown for me was the food consistency. I was not expecting gourmet cuisine, but I did hope for more variety and a higher baseline quality. The monotony of the buffet, the lukewarm temperature of some dishes, and the heavy reliance on fairly generic options made me less enthusiastic about the all inclusive concept. Looking back, I think I would have been happier with a bed and breakfast or half board setup, using the hotel mainly for breakfast and occasional dinners while exploring local tavernas the rest of the time.
The second disappointment was the disconnect between images of sparkling, contemporary facilities and the more lived in reality on the ground. Again, the hotel is not falling apart. It just looks and feels like a place that has seen many seasons and is doing its best to keep up. Some loungers need replacing, parts of the pool deck need refreshing, and small maintenance issues (like stiff balcony doors or faded paintwork) add up emotionally. If your personal travel happiness is strongly tied to ultra fresh decor, you will likely fixate on those details.
Location wise, the isolation from the beach was more of a compromise than I had acknowledged when I clicked “book.” I underestimated how much I enjoy being able to wander down to the sea multiple times a day without thinking about keys and car parks. At Filoxenia, everything involving the beach required a little planning. That is not inherently bad, but it does shape the feel of your days. If I returned to Zakynthos, I would almost certainly choose somewhere closer to the water, even if that meant paying more or sacrificing the all inclusive element.
Despite those shortcomings, there were also positives that I might not have appreciated from a quick glance at photos online. The quieter location did give me restful nights. The staff tried hard and often succeeded in making things feel personal, from checking in on how I was enjoying excursions to offering small local tips. When I slowed down my expectations and treated the hotel more as a simple base with a pool and decent sleep rather than as a self contained holiday universe, I found myself relaxing more.
The Takeaway
Stepping back from the details, my experience at Filoxenia Hotel Zakynthos sits firmly in the “good enough with caveats” category. It is not a hidden luxury gem, and it does not deliver the seamless resort bubble that some all inclusive travelers dream of. It is a solid, middle tier option in a quieter part of the Tsilivi area, with friendly staff, functional rooms, a pool oriented layout, and an all inclusive offering that will keep you fed and watered without too many thrills.
Would I stay there again? Honestly, not in the same way. If I were to return, I would consider shorter stay, perhaps on a bed and breakfast basis, and I would absolutely rent a car from day one. I would also set my expectations clearly: this is a place for simple, sunny days by the pool and using the hotel as a springboard to explore the island, not a destination resort in its own right.
Who is it still worth it for? I think Filoxenia makes the most sense for families and couples who value a quieter environment, do not need to be right on the beach, and are happy with straightforward, unfussy food and facilities. If you are price conscious, want an all inclusive package so you are not worrying about every meal, and plan to spend several days out exploring by car or tour, it can be a reasonable base. If, on the other hand, your ideal Zante holiday involves stepping straight from your hotel onto the sand, lingering over high quality dinners, and enjoying a seamless, stylish environment, then Filoxenia will likely feel like a series of compromises.
For me, the week was a reminder that location, atmosphere, and realistic expectations matter more than any checklist of amenities. Filoxenia did not blow me away, but it did not ruin my trip either. With the right mindset and travel style, especially if you go in fully aware of its strengths and weaknesses, it can still be the right choice for a certain kind of traveler.
FAQ
Q1. What are the check in and check out times at Filoxenia Zante?
Check in officially starts at 3:00 pm and runs until midnight, while check out is at 11:00 am. Early check in and late check out are sometimes available but depend on availability and may incur an extra charge.
Q2. Is Filoxenia Zante open all year round?
No. The hotel operates seasonally and usually closes from November through April, reopening for the main holiday season from around May to October. It is important to check exact dates for the year you plan to travel.
Q3. How far is the hotel from Tsilivi Beach and the town center?
The hotel is set back inland, roughly a short drive from Tsilivi Beach and the main strip. Walking is possible but can be hot and tiring, so many guests use a rental car or taxis to get to the seafront and into town.
Q4. Is the all inclusive food and drink worth it?
In my experience, the all inclusive package was adequate but not outstanding. The buffet is repetitive and leans toward basic options, and drinks are simple and often sweet. It is convenient if you want predictable costs, but not a highlight if you are a foodie.
Q5. Is Filoxenia suitable for families with children?
Yes, it can work well for families. There are children’s pools, a playground, and a relaxed atmosphere. The environment is generally calm rather than rowdy, and the all inclusive setup can be practical for managing kids’ meals and snacks.
Q6. Do I need a car to stay here comfortably?
You can stay without a car, but I found having one made a big difference. The hotel is not on the beach or in the heart of town, so a car makes it much easier to reach beaches, restaurants, and sights across Zakynthos.
Q7. How reliable is the WiFi?
WiFi is free and available in rooms and public areas, but the quality varies. I found it fine for messaging and basic browsing, but inconsistent for streaming and video calls, especially during busy times.
Q8. Is the hotel quiet at night?
Generally yes. Because it is set back from the main nightlife areas, there is little external noise. Inside, you may hear some corridor sounds or chair scraping, but I had no serious issues with sleep.
Q9. Are there many restaurant and bar options within walking distance?
There are some options if you are willing to walk, but the closest cluster of bars and restaurants is in Tsilivi town and along the beachfront, which is more comfortably reached by car or taxi. The hotel itself relies mostly on its own bar and restaurant.
Q10. Who is Filoxenia Zante best suited for?
From my experience, it suits budget conscious couples and families who want a quiet base, are not fixated on being beachfront, and are content with simple facilities and food. Travelers seeking style, high end dining, or nightlife will be happier looking closer to the beach or in more upscale resorts.